Thursday, 1 September 2011
Went to London....
... for a few days at the end of my holidays. Was heavy showers and sun all weekend, so managed to see this amazing rainbow while we were on our way to Wahaca (where we had a great meal!). Scans of the holiday drawings to follow...
Friday, 12 August 2011
Off on a break
I am off on a break, exploring a part of UK I haven't seen before.
Since I wrote my post "I seem to have to stopped drawing", something seems to have clicked back into place. Maybe just the announcement itself was enough to jolt me into action - who knows. But the result is I have been drawing more than I have in weeks.
So my travel bag is packed with a dip pen and inks, plus the usual pencils, fibre tips and a tiny watercolour set. I am an avid reader and admirer of Rolf Schroeter's blog and drawings and looking at his recent red lined drawings has inspired me to dust off my dip pen. Will post the results! Also taking 4am by Nina De La Mer as my holiday read - Nina is a friend and another Brighton resident. So that should take care of all my entertainment needs.
I'll leave you with a couple of photos from The Mock Turtle tearoom in Brighton.
Tuesday, 9 August 2011
Dogs & camping
On a recent camping trip, we pitched next to a vintage tourer. Inside was a couple and Millie, the best behaved dog on the whole campsite.
Despite all the kids racing around on their bikes, shouting and laughing, Millie was quiet and placid the whole time, calmly watching whatever was going on.
Couldn't resist a couple of quick drawings of her.
Despite all the kids racing around on their bikes, shouting and laughing, Millie was quiet and placid the whole time, calmly watching whatever was going on.
Couldn't resist a couple of quick drawings of her.
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Birthday trip to London
For my birthday this year, I went to London to see the Tracey Emin exhibition at Hayward Gallery on Southbank, London. Was a brilliant exhibition, huge and curated in such a way that it made me question my previous preconceptions of Emin.
I loved the quilts, embroideries and there was some amazing drawings too. Had never seen much of her film work before and some of those pieces were very powerful too.
Out from the exhibition and into Chowpatty Beach Bar on South Bank for the lunch below
Not a great photo - but the food was delicious! Was also sunny enough to sit outside and enjoy the bustling Southbank.
Are a line of beach huts along the Southbank riverside, with different displays in each and also a seaside garden from Southend on Sea and a small artificial sandy beach, which the kids were absolutely loving.
Was a great birthday trip to the capital and haven't stopped thinking about Tracey Emin's work since, which has got to be the sign of a fantastic exhibition and an artist that touches you.
I loved the quilts, embroideries and there was some amazing drawings too. Had never seen much of her film work before and some of those pieces were very powerful too.
Out from the exhibition and into Chowpatty Beach Bar on South Bank for the lunch below
Not a great photo - but the food was delicious! Was also sunny enough to sit outside and enjoy the bustling Southbank.
Are a line of beach huts along the Southbank riverside, with different displays in each and also a seaside garden from Southend on Sea and a small artificial sandy beach, which the kids were absolutely loving.
Was a great birthday trip to the capital and haven't stopped thinking about Tracey Emin's work since, which has got to be the sign of a fantastic exhibition and an artist that touches you.
I seem to have stopped drawing
Wasn't intentional, just somehow have run out of steam.
Have still been drawing at life classes at Brighton Life Drawing. Is just the everyday drawing that seems to have dwindled to nothing.
This has only happened a couple of times in the past. I do go through periods of not painting, but the everyday drawing has been fairly consistent, apart from twice when some radical life changes left me reeling and drawing was the last thing on my mind.
Have a couple of weeks away from the office job soon though and have jaunts planned to new towns and areas of the UK, so am hoping that inspiration and a new sketchbook or two will jump start the drawing.
So in the meantime, as there are no drawings, a photo of Hove Beach from last weekend.
Have still been drawing at life classes at Brighton Life Drawing. Is just the everyday drawing that seems to have dwindled to nothing.
This has only happened a couple of times in the past. I do go through periods of not painting, but the everyday drawing has been fairly consistent, apart from twice when some radical life changes left me reeling and drawing was the last thing on my mind.
Have a couple of weeks away from the office job soon though and have jaunts planned to new towns and areas of the UK, so am hoping that inspiration and a new sketchbook or two will jump start the drawing.
So in the meantime, as there are no drawings, a photo of Hove Beach from last weekend.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
More Barcelona drawings
Finally getting through the scanning mountain. Here are some more drawings from Barcelona. This drawing was in a tiny coffee bar, attached to a swish chocolate and cake shop. Coffee was fantastic - in fact, everywhere we drank coffee it was great.
Street corner and lettering from a poster in the museum.
And lastly, as I seem to be turning into one of those insufferable people that wakes up very early, no matter what, I snuck out of the hotel and into a local corner cafe, before I woke everyone else up. Was bustling with locals popping in for breakfast on their way to work and school and most people were greeted by name. This chap was a taxi driver and drunk his expresso in seconds.
Street corner and lettering from a poster in the museum.
And lastly, as I seem to be turning into one of those insufferable people that wakes up very early, no matter what, I snuck out of the hotel and into a local corner cafe, before I woke everyone else up. Was bustling with locals popping in for breakfast on their way to work and school and most people were greeted by name. This chap was a taxi driver and drunk his expresso in seconds.
Camping
Had a fun bank holiday weekend camping at Sumners Ponds campsite. Although the bank holiday weather wasn't amazing, it wasn't wet and it was just great to be out in our camper van again. Was our first trip of the season, so always prefer to stay closer to home, to get used to things again.
This was the view from the site cafe. There are 3 lakes at the campsite and a lot dedicated people fishing! I imagine if you like camping and fishing, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
This was the view from the site cafe. There are 3 lakes at the campsite and a lot dedicated people fishing! I imagine if you like camping and fishing, this is pretty much as good as it gets.
You can choose a pitch right alongside the lakes - well worth the extra £5 to wake up to the view.
Were lots of clumps of yellow iris dotted around - lovely! Did do some drawings as well - still on the pile waiting to be scanned.
Thursday, 28 April 2011
My favourite place in Barcelona - Park Guell
Park Guell is just spectacular! Had been told to include it in our visit by a few friends and it lived up to all expectations. Gaudi was such a visionary creative and evidence of that is all over Barcelona.
Was hot on the day we visited and absolutely heaving with tourists, but still, was fantastic. Amazing architecture and bold, exotic planting. No drawing that day but just captured a few snaps on the phone and bought the most gorgeous book to relish at home.
Would love to visit this place again - perhaps out of season and I would plan to spend the whole day there next time.
Was hot on the day we visited and absolutely heaving with tourists, but still, was fantastic. Amazing architecture and bold, exotic planting. No drawing that day but just captured a few snaps on the phone and bought the most gorgeous book to relish at home.
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Barcelona
What a fantastic city! Beautiful architecture, wonderful to walk around and so many amazing things to see. We has a thoroughly great time. Of course, didn't see everything we wanted to see, but that gives me an excuse to revisit.
Managed to squeeze in some drawing time:
Standing, waiting for the open top tour bus - great way to orientate yourself in the city
Back of some apartments with huge amounts of washing hanging off their balconies.
More drawings Barcelona drawings in a day or two!
Managed to squeeze in some drawing time:
Standing, waiting for the open top tour bus - great way to orientate yourself in the city
Back of some apartments with huge amounts of washing hanging off their balconies.
More drawings Barcelona drawings in a day or two!
Thursday, 7 April 2011
The Diary Project
Came across this really interesting idea on Happiness Project for a milestone/landmark/achievement journal. You record significant events that happen under their dates - anything from a holiday, to buying a pet, moving house to a meal with friends, whatever holds some meaning for you. Then you keep using that same diary or book year on year, so gradually over some years, you see a map of your life and a journal of your personal highlights.
Example 12 April
2007 Adam's birthday party in London
2009 Finished bathroom renovation after 6 weeks work
2011 On holiday in Paris with Amy - today Eiffel Tower and drawing in cafes
Wish I'd thought to do this when my daughter was younger, as there are so many great milestones with a child.
But am going to start now and have bought my book this morning!
Monday, 4 April 2011
Drawing messy cupboards
Have been bit frustrated by my lack of discipline in carving out drawing time recently. So one evening, in a fit of pique, sat down on the kitchen floor and drew 1 shelf of a very messy kitchen cupboard.
Am sure it will shock some people, iron crammed in with packets of rice and lentils. But cupboard space is at a premium in our kitchen...my excuse anyway.
I did this pencil drawing with a Staedtler 780 lead holder, which I am absolutely loving using. Am not sure whether it's the actual lead or the holder, but finding it much more friendly to use than my regular pencils.Came across it via Gabi Campanario, over on Urban Sketchers, when he blogged about these amazing drawings! Hoping a little of the lead holder magic will rub off on me :)
Am sure it will shock some people, iron crammed in with packets of rice and lentils. But cupboard space is at a premium in our kitchen...my excuse anyway.
I did this pencil drawing with a Staedtler 780 lead holder, which I am absolutely loving using. Am not sure whether it's the actual lead or the holder, but finding it much more friendly to use than my regular pencils.Came across it via Gabi Campanario, over on Urban Sketchers, when he blogged about these amazing drawings! Hoping a little of the lead holder magic will rub off on me :)
Friday, 1 April 2011
Drawing at the bus stop
Have been trying to sharpen my people observation skills and have found trying to capture people very quickly as they wait for their bus is ideal.
Has also been fun drawing with coloured pencils. Got a set of these Staedtler pencils given to me me recently and they are great. Don't break when sharpened and just the right softness for a very quick sketch.
Hopefully, if the weather is OK, may be some more bus stop drawing over the weekend. Is amazing what makes us happy!
Has also been fun drawing with coloured pencils. Got a set of these Staedtler pencils given to me me recently and they are great. Don't break when sharpened and just the right softness for a very quick sketch.
Hopefully, if the weather is OK, may be some more bus stop drawing over the weekend. Is amazing what makes us happy!
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Jaunt to London
Have spent the weekend in London. Managed to squeeze some drawing into a pretty packed weekend.
Started with the early Saturday morning train - doodling while looking out of the window. Am still experimenting with using pencil.
And you can tell tthe weather has changed - train travellers that were only wearing jackets! The coats and scarves had been abandoned!
Saturday was spent in central London and had a fabulous early evening meal at Tas restuarant (hearty recommendation, if you are in the Bloomsbury area of London - food and restaurant atmosphere were both fantastic).
Sunday I discovered Columbia Road flower market - what a place! Absolutely brilliant value cut flowers and all sorts of plants, from tiny alpines to huge exotics. Will definitely be back here to stock up. But is also worth going for the shopping, as the market is surrounded by quirky, independent shops. Popped into the Rob Ryan shop there - am a huge fan of his papercuts and the shop didn't disappoint.
These are some of the vast bouquet of lillies I bought at the market, that were well worth the struggle home on the train, particularly as they lasted 2 weeks.
Then Brick Lane market. I had no idea that Brick Lane had a market on Sundays and that the area was so full of young designers and vintage shops. The Old Truman Brewery had some original stalls, selling everything from ceramics to fashion. It was bursting with people and again is somewhere I will definitely make a point of coming back to. Managed a quick sketch in the coffee shop here
Think next time I head up, will go with sole purpose of drawing. Was so much to see in both Brick Lane and Columbia Road, would make a perfect Sunday's sketching.
Started with the early Saturday morning train - doodling while looking out of the window. Am still experimenting with using pencil.
And you can tell tthe weather has changed - train travellers that were only wearing jackets! The coats and scarves had been abandoned!
Saturday was spent in central London and had a fabulous early evening meal at Tas restuarant (hearty recommendation, if you are in the Bloomsbury area of London - food and restaurant atmosphere were both fantastic).
Sunday I discovered Columbia Road flower market - what a place! Absolutely brilliant value cut flowers and all sorts of plants, from tiny alpines to huge exotics. Will definitely be back here to stock up. But is also worth going for the shopping, as the market is surrounded by quirky, independent shops. Popped into the Rob Ryan shop there - am a huge fan of his papercuts and the shop didn't disappoint.
These are some of the vast bouquet of lillies I bought at the market, that were well worth the struggle home on the train, particularly as they lasted 2 weeks.
Then Brick Lane market. I had no idea that Brick Lane had a market on Sundays and that the area was so full of young designers and vintage shops. The Old Truman Brewery had some original stalls, selling everything from ceramics to fashion. It was bursting with people and again is somewhere I will definitely make a point of coming back to. Managed a quick sketch in the coffee shop here
Think next time I head up, will go with sole purpose of drawing. Was so much to see in both Brick Lane and Columbia Road, would make a perfect Sunday's sketching.
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Tonight I am ignoring
...the washing up.
Instead I am going to for a coffee, then I am going to watch Danny Boyle's Frankenstein.
Better than my average Thursday evening!
Instead I am going to for a coffee, then I am going to watch Danny Boyle's Frankenstein.
Better than my average Thursday evening!
Tuesday, 15 March 2011
Nearly a whole 2 months without blogging
Shameful....
In the background have been doing plenty - drawing, visiting London and entertaining lots of visitors. Plan to do some scanning soon of most recent pencil drawings. In the meantime, these are the gorgeous pussy willow branches I bought at Columbia Road market last weekend.
Is a brilliant place to visit on a Sunday morning in London. Huge selection of cheap flowers and plants and a whole street full of small, independent quirky shops. I didn't have much time, but am going back very soon and hope to be able to stop and draw, as well as explore.
In the background have been doing plenty - drawing, visiting London and entertaining lots of visitors. Plan to do some scanning soon of most recent pencil drawings. In the meantime, these are the gorgeous pussy willow branches I bought at Columbia Road market last weekend.
Is a brilliant place to visit on a Sunday morning in London. Huge selection of cheap flowers and plants and a whole street full of small, independent quirky shops. I didn't have much time, but am going back very soon and hope to be able to stop and draw, as well as explore.
Monday, 24 January 2011
Sketchbooks and musing
Some final pages from this sketchbook, which I finished on the weekend.
Had a great time on the Brighton Sketchcrawl last weekend - was the 3rd one I've attended, but the first one where I don't have any drawings to show. In retrospect I joined it too late, as there were only 2 stops left. However had the fantastic opportunity to try life drawing at Brighton Life Drawing, run by Jake Spicer. Was the first time I have ever done life drawing and was great to do it with such a fun, supportive group of people. And I will be going back to do more!
I has a quick chat with Jake in the pub afterwards, that has really got me thinking. It was whether the process of drawing was more important to me or the outcome. And I think it is probably the process. It's the calming effect of drawing, the sitting quietly and really looking and appreciating that I get the most value from. Is like meditating. Sure, am as delighted as anyone when I have a drawing I am pleased with, but is more about the process and marking that moment.
As the others were looking through my sketchbook, one of the sketchcrawlers remarked on the visual diary quality of my sketchbook. I think this is partly because I do tend to draw small domestic moments and scenes, so they naturally form a narrative of your days. But I do also like the idea of paying attention to your days and celebrating them.
I think there will be more to come on this train of thought...in the new sketchbook.
On the train
Farm Cafe, Brighton
Had a great time on the Brighton Sketchcrawl last weekend - was the 3rd one I've attended, but the first one where I don't have any drawings to show. In retrospect I joined it too late, as there were only 2 stops left. However had the fantastic opportunity to try life drawing at Brighton Life Drawing, run by Jake Spicer. Was the first time I have ever done life drawing and was great to do it with such a fun, supportive group of people. And I will be going back to do more!
I has a quick chat with Jake in the pub afterwards, that has really got me thinking. It was whether the process of drawing was more important to me or the outcome. And I think it is probably the process. It's the calming effect of drawing, the sitting quietly and really looking and appreciating that I get the most value from. Is like meditating. Sure, am as delighted as anyone when I have a drawing I am pleased with, but is more about the process and marking that moment.
As the others were looking through my sketchbook, one of the sketchcrawlers remarked on the visual diary quality of my sketchbook. I think this is partly because I do tend to draw small domestic moments and scenes, so they naturally form a narrative of your days. But I do also like the idea of paying attention to your days and celebrating them.
I think there will be more to come on this train of thought...in the new sketchbook.
Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Pencil and brush pens
I rarely sketch in pencil. I like the permanence of pen. I like that I have to live with the lines and just draw over them if I want to correct anything. Bold seems like a good thing to me! Pencil seems to make me hesitant and tentative and prone to erasing. But have seen and been inspired by some lovely pencil drawings recently, so have started to do a few myself. This one was done in a very dimly lit room, so couldn't get carried away with any detail.
The next drawing was drawn looking out of a coffee shop window, desperately wishing the rain would stop. We seem to have had an endless amount of rain and lots of gloomy days where you wonder whether it actually every got light! I read that we are at the halfway point between the clocks changing - good news.
Was trying out my new Pentel brush pen. Have still got to get used to it. So far most attempts seem to be very clumsy and ugly or just plain odd! Can't say am delighted with this drawing either, but is a start. Am going to take the brush pen along to Brighton Sketchcrawl this weekend, and hope that one of the sketchers I met last time is there. Richard used a brush pen almost exclusively, so am hoping he'll give me a few tips.
Do come along to the Brighton Sketchcrawl if you are in Brighton this weekend. All abilities are welcome and is always a very friendly group. Is not at all competitive and is lovely to sit with other people drawing. The link will take you to the timetable and map for the day, so you can come for the day or just an hour. I will post up my drawings!
The next drawing was drawn looking out of a coffee shop window, desperately wishing the rain would stop. We seem to have had an endless amount of rain and lots of gloomy days where you wonder whether it actually every got light! I read that we are at the halfway point between the clocks changing - good news.
Was trying out my new Pentel brush pen. Have still got to get used to it. So far most attempts seem to be very clumsy and ugly or just plain odd! Can't say am delighted with this drawing either, but is a start. Am going to take the brush pen along to Brighton Sketchcrawl this weekend, and hope that one of the sketchers I met last time is there. Richard used a brush pen almost exclusively, so am hoping he'll give me a few tips.
Do come along to the Brighton Sketchcrawl if you are in Brighton this weekend. All abilities are welcome and is always a very friendly group. Is not at all competitive and is lovely to sit with other people drawing. The link will take you to the timetable and map for the day, so you can come for the day or just an hour. I will post up my drawings!
Wednesday, 5 January 2011
Braving the London sales
Took my daughter to London for the New Year sales.
I love going to London: buying a newspaper and coffee, settling in at a window seat and gazing out of the window as the train travels along. Is even better when I have a model that doesn't mind being blatantly stared at.
Then off the train and there is London itself. I do enjoy living in Brighton, but sometimes I really yearn for the largeness, the grandness, the relentless bustle of London.
I wanted to go to John Lewis to look at their yarn sale and go to Muji to pick up some pens and pads. Clearly my daughter had much more expansive plans, and I soon found myself standing outside a seemingly endless number of changing rooms...
Managed to do the quick drawing below
and then had a great chat with a number of different women, who were standing in the long changing room queue, about drawing: how long have I been sketching, was I self conscious, am I happy to show people my work, did I think anyone could learn to draw...loads of questions! Obviously seeing someone drawing in public is more unusual than I realised!
I love going to London: buying a newspaper and coffee, settling in at a window seat and gazing out of the window as the train travels along. Is even better when I have a model that doesn't mind being blatantly stared at.
Then off the train and there is London itself. I do enjoy living in Brighton, but sometimes I really yearn for the largeness, the grandness, the relentless bustle of London.
I wanted to go to John Lewis to look at their yarn sale and go to Muji to pick up some pens and pads. Clearly my daughter had much more expansive plans, and I soon found myself standing outside a seemingly endless number of changing rooms...
Managed to do the quick drawing below
and then had a great chat with a number of different women, who were standing in the long changing room queue, about drawing: how long have I been sketching, was I self conscious, am I happy to show people my work, did I think anyone could learn to draw...loads of questions! Obviously seeing someone drawing in public is more unusual than I realised!
Wednesday, 29 December 2010
Christmas
Most of our Christmas visitors have left now, and I am pleased to have my computer and scanner back in action. Here are some more Christmas snippets - as ever, had planned (hoped!) to do WAY more drawing. But impossible with all the Christmas bustle and cooking and general carousing that went on.
But am always pleased to have some record.
Off to London tomorrow. Hear there are dreadful problems on the train line, but looking on bright side, that will give me some more time to draw the commuters and lucky folk off to the airport on hols.
Used my Flip video camera over Christmas. That has got to be one of the best Christmas presents I ever received - so brilliantly small and easy to use. Keep looking at iphones and wondering whether I would as much fun and value out of one of those? Still unconvinced, but hoping to have a go on daughter's new itouch, so I can suss out whether I really would use the iphone apps. I do love a new gadget though - can't beat it!
But am always pleased to have some record.
Off to London tomorrow. Hear there are dreadful problems on the train line, but looking on bright side, that will give me some more time to draw the commuters and lucky folk off to the airport on hols.
Used my Flip video camera over Christmas. That has got to be one of the best Christmas presents I ever received - so brilliantly small and easy to use. Keep looking at iphones and wondering whether I would as much fun and value out of one of those? Still unconvinced, but hoping to have a go on daughter's new itouch, so I can suss out whether I really would use the iphone apps. I do love a new gadget though - can't beat it!
Friday, 24 December 2010
Christmas Snippets
Have managed to do some drawing, amongst all the Christmas rushing around.
This year the house is full of planted bulbs, amaryllis, hyacinths and narcissi - all gorgeous! Some were bought as presents for relatives, but as the weather has been so rotten and we haven't been able to make some visits, I have adopted them for myself. Lucky!
Our Christmas tree is absolutely laden down with ornaments. There is NOTHING minimalist or colour coordinated about our tree! Is full of mainly vintage, glass ornaments, some from my grandmother and mother and others I have bought at car boots.
Today I am off to see the black and white classic 'It's A Wonderful Life' at the cinema with my family. Very nostalgic and traditional and possibly the 6th time I have seen it. Watching that film seems to have become one of our Christmas eve traditions. For me, Christmas starts in earnest then.
Hope you all enjoy a lovely time.
This year the house is full of planted bulbs, amaryllis, hyacinths and narcissi - all gorgeous! Some were bought as presents for relatives, but as the weather has been so rotten and we haven't been able to make some visits, I have adopted them for myself. Lucky!
Our Christmas tree is absolutely laden down with ornaments. There is NOTHING minimalist or colour coordinated about our tree! Is full of mainly vintage, glass ornaments, some from my grandmother and mother and others I have bought at car boots.
Today I am off to see the black and white classic 'It's A Wonderful Life' at the cinema with my family. Very nostalgic and traditional and possibly the 6th time I have seen it. Watching that film seems to have become one of our Christmas eve traditions. For me, Christmas starts in earnest then.
Hope you all enjoy a lovely time.
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